Boomer picked something up from the counter, a glass paperweight shaped like the planet Saturn. Hefting it in his hand, he held it out in front of him as it began to glow, first a pale yellow and then a fiery orange. He had turned it into an explosive device.

He threw it. But this time Nemo was ready. She reached out with her telepathy, grabbing the orb and hurling it back at Boomer. His expression changed from one of bored indifference to one of fear as he saw his own missile coming at him. Just in time, he ducked, and it hit the wall behind him, exploding in a shower of sparks that sent Boomer falling to the ground, his arms over his head.

Nemo used the distraction to cover the distance between her and the boys. The momentum of that skirmish had changed. Seamus, bigger than Max, had managed to get out from underneath him. Now they were grappling like wrestlers, Seamus’s arms around Max’s middle. Then Max threw his head back, slamming it into Seamus’s nose. Blood spurted and Seamus let go, bringing his hands to his face and swearing forcefully.

Max whirled around and kicked Seamus in the stomach, pushing him backwards so that he fell down. He advanced on Seamus, fists raised. Nemo had never seen his stony face before. He was seriously angry, and wasn’t going to back down.

Blood soaked the front of Seamus’s shirt as he prepared to meet Max. Nemo saw him ball his hands into fists, and when the sound of buzzing increased, she knew he was going to try once more to use his Legacy against them.

At the same time, another glowing item struck the floor by Max’s feet. He yelped as whatever it was exploded, dancing away from the flames that licked his jeans. Nemo ran to him and grabbed his hand.

“Come on,” she said, dragging him towards the elevators.

“But—” Max objected.

“You can kick his ass later,” Nemo said. “I promise.”

The doors of one of the elevators were open. Nemo pulled Max inside and hit a button at random, aiming for a high floor. As the doors slid shut, something crashed against them. One of Boomer’s little bombs, Nemo thought as the elevator started up.

“Where are we going?” Max asked. “And why? I almost had Seamus.”

“Yeah,” Nemo agreed. “You did. But what were you going to do with him?”

Max looked at her. “Pay him back for being a traitor,” he said, as if this was the stupidest question she could ask.

“And after that?”

Max shrugged. “I hadn’t gotten that far,” he said.

“Exactly,” said Nemo. “Think about it. We don’t have anywhere to stick him. We don’t have anyone to help us. Everyone who works here is freaking out.”

“For good reason,” Max said.

“For very good reason,” Nemo agreed. “My point is, we’re on our own, at least until Nine shows up again. And we have more important things to do than beat the crap out of Seamus and Boomer. Besides, if those two are here, there are probably more of them. Like Freakshow.”